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SB0967 • 2026

Landlord and Tenant

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68, relative to rental property.

Housing
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Southerland, Faison
Last action
2025-03-18
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the impact or updates to other sections of Tennessee's rental laws beyond the change in time limit for agreement termination.

Changing Rental Agreement Termination Rules

This bill changes the time limit for agreeing to end a rental agreement from 30 days to 45 days if the tenant is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking and provides written notice and documentation.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the time limit for agreeing to end a rental agreement from 30 days to 45 days when the tenant gives written notice and proof that they are a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tenants who need extra time to end their rental agreement due to being victims of certain crimes.
  • Landlords who must agree on ending the lease within a longer period when tenants provide proof of victim status.

Terms To Know

Domestic abuse
When someone in your family or household hurts you physically, emotionally, or sexually.
Sexual assault
Unwanted sexual contact that can be very harmful and illegal.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if the landlord and tenant cannot agree within 45 days.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect rental agreements before it becomes law.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

  2. 2025-03-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/18/2025

  3. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Business and Utilities Subcommittee of Commerce Committee

  4. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/18/2025

  5. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/18/2025

  6. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/11/2025

  7. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/12/2025

  8. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee

  9. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Commerce Committee

  10. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

  11. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  12. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  13. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  14. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  15. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HOUSE BILL 757
By Faison

SENATE BILL 967
By Southerland

SB0967
001463
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title
28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title
68, relative to rental property.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 66-7-112(b)(1)(B), is amended by
deleting "thirty (30) days" and substituting "forty-five (45) days".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it,
and applies to agreements entered into, amended, or renewed on or after such date